Check Out the New Amtrak ClubAcela Coming to Washington Union Station

Recently I had the chance to attend a media event at Amtrak‘s Union Station, and got a preview into the new Amtrak Club Acela, coming to Union Station somewhere around the year 2021.

First, if you haven’t been to the Amtrak ClubAcela in Union Station, see my review here.

Amtrak ClubAcela lounges are open to:

• Day Pass holders
• Amtrak Select Executive members
• Amtrak Acela First Class passengers
• Amtrak sleeping car passengers

So, let’s look a few renderings of the new ClubAcela space.

If you’re familiar with Union Station and are looking at the current train gates from the Sbarro’s restaurant, you’ll notice the Club Acela on the second floor, above the train gates. Currently, the ClubAcela is located on the ground floor, in the center of the terminal, behind the information booths.

If you’re standing at the train tracks (as if you’re looking into the terminal from disembarking a train), you’ll notice the ClubAcela on the second floor – it will have views over the tracks on one side, and the terminal gates on the other.

Here’s where the ClubAcela will sit, based upon the current station views (this is taken from just before the train tracks themselves, looking up. Where the ceiling sits now will be where the ClubAcela will sit in the future):

Now, let’s take a look at the new ClubAcela renderings.

Looking from inside the ClubAcela out in the terminal, you’ll notice comfortable seating options with power outlets and tables.

The new Club will be more elongated than it is today, with both individual seating options, grouped seating options, high-top tables with outlets, televisions, passenger information display boards and also private meeting rooms.

The new ClubAcela will be accessed via an escalator from the main terminal, where passengers will check-in with an attendant. When boarding trains, there will be a private escalator that leads directly onto the tracks from the Club, allowing for private boarding. It’s also worth noting that there will be a private elevator installed for VIPs, government officials and others requiring top security, that way they can exit their cars and be whisked up to the club without having to go through the terminal itself.

Right now, this project is scheduled for completion in 2021, so we’ll have to wait a bit to see the final outcome, but the new lounge certainly looks more refreshed and modern than the current setup, which is dated to say the least.

What do you think of the new Amtrak ClubAclea in Washington Union Station?